CHINESE national Yin Qing Qing will be deported after serving her 10-month prison sentence, says Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto.
In an interview, Mr Naupoto said this is the normal procedure carried out for any foreigner found guilty of committing a crime while in the country.
“She will complete her 10-month sentence before we can deport her back to her country,” Mr Naupoto said.
“This is done to respect the court order and in this case, it’s a 10-month prison sentence.”
Mr Naupoto said the same procedure would apply to other foreigners who commit a crime while on holiday in Fiji.
Qing, who was sentenced by the Suva Magistrate’s Court earlier this week, was found in possession of $3835 in cash at her Yue Lai Hotel room and another $3009.98 in her MPAiSA account, believed to be proceeds of crime while holidaying here.
She was found guilty of engaging in employment while holding a tourist visa.
Qing was initially charged in September last year with her co-accused, Joshua Ravula, for unlawful possession of 42.95 grams of methamphetamine.
However, upon review of the evidence, the DPP withdrew this charge last December due to insufficient evidence, leaving Mr Ravula solely charged with the alleged possession offence.
